Supplements are a billion dollar industry and it's only growing over the last several years. And while supplements can be an amazing tool in helping support your body, they can potentially be harmful if not purchased from reputable sources. The goal of this post isn't fear or skepticism- but to offer a little awareness about the supplement industry so that you can make informed and educated decisions. My goal is to always empower you in making the best health decisions for you, your family, and your personal health goals. 

I'll also share my favorite supplement companies that hold some of the highest standards in the industry- highest standards in sourcing, product quality, ethical wages and testing. Because if you are spending your money on supplements, it should be companies that are actually delivering quality product. 

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Supplement Regulation

Did you know that currently there is limited regulation on new supplements being put on the market? But what does that actually mean? Here are some statements taken directly from the FDA's (Food and Drug Administration) site that ay offer a little bit of clarity:

• The FDA does NOT have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness, or to approve their labeling, before the supplements are sold to the public.

• Under the FD&C Act, it is the responsibility of dietary supplement companies to ensure their products meet the safety standards for dietary supplements and are not otherwise in violation of the law.

• Since companies can often introduce a dietary supplement to the market without notifying the FDA, the agency's role in regulating supplements primarily begins after the product enters the marketplace.

• The FDA also reviews product labels and other labeling information, including websites, to ensure products are appropriately labeled and that they do not include claims that may render the products drugs (e.g., claims to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent diseases)

But it goes far beyond looking for a "stamp of approval" from the FDA...

In a recent study, researchers selected the top 30 supplements referencing the word "immune". They then sent those to a third-party lab to be thoroughly tested. The findings?

- 17 out of 30 supplements were INACCURATELY LABELED

- 13 out of 30 were misbranded

- 9 out of 30 had ingredients detected that were not on the label

ummm WHAT?!

And in case you want a little more context- Amazon sells $10 BILLION in supplements annually, greater than any other retailer. And if those figures in the study are even a little representative of the inconsistencies within the full market.. that's a little scary. 

Now, don't get me wrong- I use amazon. I've purchased supplements off amazon (and still do, although not very often) because i've learned how to verify where they are coming from

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How to Verify Your Supplements on Amazon

While that study I shared is pretty alarming, there are also plenty of safe and reputable brands that do sell through Amazon. The trick is figuring out which sellers are actually verified. When shopping for supplements from Amazon, the best practice is to always look under the product name for the store link. 

This link should bring you to a brand page. These are verified sellers and all the branding should be consistent with the brand. 

Another option is reaching out directly to the company and confirming that they do in fact sell on Amazon. My promise is that if I ever link to a supplement or products on Amazon that I have done my due diligence to verify the product on Amazon is the true products from the company.

My Thoughts on Supplements in General

Now, I've shared before on my personal beliefs on supplements but i'll give you the quick run down--

Nutritional supplements are not a quick fix (or at least they should not be viewed that way in my opinion). Rather, they should supplement an already healthy lifestyle. They can fill in the gaps in your diet, make getting certain nutrients more convenient or palatable, but should not be the foundation of your wellness routine. 

It's been said before "you can't supplement your way to wellness" and I really believe that to be true (unless you practice a really restrictive diet, than maybe you do to fill in the nutrient gaps). As much as supplement companies want you to believe that you need their newest product to be healthy, overall health comes from the basics- eating a balanced, healthy diet primarily of whole foods, moving your body, staying hydrated, and taking care of your mental and emotional health. 

Now before we dive into the best supplement brands that i've personally researched and used, I am not a healthcare provider. Nothing on this blog is medical advice, purely just educational information. Make sure to do your own due diligence and speak with your personal health care provider as needed. This is especially important if you have pre-existing health conditions, or are taking medications, as there can be harmful side effects of taking certain prescriptions and supplements together. 

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What I look for in a supplement company

Both my husband and I take supplements every single day for different reasons. For myself, I am 4 years (and counting) of either being pregnant or breastfeeding which is a huge nutrient toll on the body. A lot of my personal supplementation is to ensure my body is not depleted, and then also supporting my hormones from a history with PCOS symptoms.

And then there are other supplements we keep on hand in case of injury or illness. When researching and shopping for supplements, these are some of the things I look for:

• testing by third-party organizations - this means an outside company is testing the product for efficacy and to verify that it is what it claims to be

• no artificial flavors or additives 

• natural products that are intentionally sourced - there are many studies showing that our bodies process and utilize natural products better than their synthetic counterparts, so for us personally, these are ingredients we prioritize

• Ethical animal, environmental and worker values

My Favorite Organic Supplement Companies

This list is not​ exhaustive- there are so many other great brands of products that can help to support your holistic health and wellness. But these are the ones that I have personally used or used for my family, have seen good results from, and recommend my clients to check out themselves! If there is another brand you are curious about trying and want some help looking into the company, shoot me an email at hello@wellnesswithkaelyn.com and we can look into it together. I am always interested in learning about different companies in the wellness space and what they have to offer. 

Perfect Supplements 

​This is a company my family uses every single day and have seen tangible positive effects from. There products help us to get in essential nutrients with more convenience- which is one of our values during this season of life. Here are some facts about the company that add to their value for me:

• Every batch is lab tested and certified and the reports for all of these are easy to access 👏 because we love wellness transparency.

• nothing synthetic or artificial, only pure, natural ingredients

• USDA organic certified ingredients or naturally harvested when organic isn't an option

• animals are all living in their natural environments (cows on pasture and eating grass, chickens free to roam)

• fair trade and ethical labor! 

My Fave Products

• grass-fed collagen - this goes into our coffee every single morning

• grass fed beef liver - another one of our regular supplements (i'll take this if i'm not sneaking organ meats into our meals, or if we are traveling)

• Bone broth powder- I don't use this every day, but usually a few times a month. I mix it in when cooking rice, soups, or want a cup of bone broth and haven't gone through the process of making my own!

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Other Trusted Brands

I really appreciate supplement shopping through Perfect Supplements because they carry other great brands too. It means that I can order most of our high-quality supplements through one single place which I love! Here are some of the other brands I have shopped from: 

• Gaia Herbs

• Garden of Life- organic vitamins from whole food sources! This is the prenatal I used through both of my pregnancies. I love that they use high-quality folate instead of synthetic folic acid like other vitamin supplements

• Smidge - their morning magnesium is my favorite. Unlike other magnesium supplements that are recommended to take at night for their relaxing effect, this one is specifically formulated to support energy in the mornings

• Rosita - cod liver oil

They have generously shared a code for my blog readers! Code Kaelyn10 will get you 10% off your order.

Organic Olivia

I really think Olivia is the queen of herbalism and quality herbal supplements. I really appreciate following her accounts because she shares education in a really easy to understand way. Her organic supplements have become a staple that we keep on hand, especially when illness pops up.

My top picks

• Elderberry Immune Elixir - I love that this one isn't formulated with alcohol so it's safe for the whole fam. A staple for natural immune health and support!

• Digestive Juice- over the past year I have been really focusing on optimizing my digestion. Primarily this has come from a few simple things I implement around mealtime, and this is another one. I don't use this every day but espeically if I am going to be having 

• Natal Nurture - for nearly the last four years I have been pregnant or breastfeeding. That is hugely taxing on the body if not properly nourishing!  I love that this ingredient list is intentionally designed to support fertility and adrenal health. 

• Mighty Minerals- this is from their kid's line but is beneficial for the whole family. I love that this mineral supplement help supports the nutrient needs of my family 

ALOHA Protein

And now let's talk dietary supplements. That usually includes things like protein powders and nutritional bars. My favorite organic company for this is ALOHA. We love animal protein in our home, but have struggled finding a brand with whey protein that we really loved (if you have one, let me know!)

Then we found ALOHA off of Thrive Market and were hooked. Their protein sources are all plant-based and not chalky of gritty at all. They also have protein bars that are delicious and don't have that weird protein after-taste like so many other bars! My husband always jokes that they are like a dessert-- but really, and without all the artificial junk! 

Another thing that really sticks out about this company is it being B Corp Certified. Less than 4% of companies that apply for this designation actually make the cut so its a big deal! It means they uphold the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

Specifically in regards to health, it means all their products are USDA certified organic, Non-GMO, and Fair Trade Certified.

My Favorite Products:

• chocolate protein powder - this is the smoothest plant-based protein powder I have ever tried

• peanut butter chocolate chip protein bars

Shop the link below to save 15% off your order.

Before Supplementing…

Just because I have some of my favorite products listed here does not mean that you need them. Based off your health history, you will have different individual needs and nutritional needs. That means you are going to have a different daily routine around food and supplements then I do-- and that is juuust okay (actually it's a good thing!)

A good supplement regimen is going to take into account your health history, energy levels, immune system, daily diet, and health goals. Because you could have all of the best products of the highest quality, but still be unhealthy and struggling with symptoms. So, before any of that, here is what I would recommend...

Unsure of where to start?? Probably not with supplements to be honest (unless you have lab tests showing you are in need of something specific). To start, spend some time prioritizing whole food nutrition and foundational healthy habits including:

• a varied diet of whole, unprocessed foods

• moving your body daily

• getting sunshine 

• sleeping 8 hours a night

• managing stress 

These are all step number 1 in pursuing holistic wellness! And those are the exact things I help clients prioritize. We create that solid foundation through sustainable health habits and then can more clearly see the gaps in your wellness-- and those are the gaps that supplements can be intentionally used to fill 👏 

Not only is this a lot more sustainable, but a heck of a lot more affordable! Plus the health benefits from making those practices a habit are going to give you more optimal health than any supplement will. This is exactly what I work on with clients as a health coach- creating long-lasting, sustainable habits to optimize health! If you are interesting in working one-on-one, fill our a quick application and schedule a free introductory call where we can begin strategizing your health goals!

Chat soon!

Kaelyn

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